Water firm says A4 sewer collapse worse than expected

Thames Water have explained the delays to the reopening of part the A4 Bath Road in Reading, following the collapse of a sewer on the route almost four weeks ago. The road had to be closed for repair work. It is due to reopen on Monday 2nd June.

The firm said the job has involved workers digging out the old pipe, sometimes by hand, until they reach a point where it is no longer broken to connect a new pipe. After this process is complete, the five and a half metre deep hole will be filled in and the road surface replaced.

“We’re sorry that we’ve got to keep the road closed, but it’s vital we do this job properly. It’s taken longer than we ever expected as the extent of the damage couldn’t be determined until we’d dug down.

“More than 20 metres of pipework has had to be replaced which has been a huge task. We’re working extended hours seven days a week as we know the road closure is so disruptive, but unfortunately we still need a bit more time.”